From Trotter To Trailblazer: The Life Of ‘Westie’

PaulickReport.com - Full Article

by Chris Lomon/Woodbine|02.25.2022

It's a thrill ride Sarah Cuthbertson never expected to have embarked on.

The accomplished equestrian with over a decade of Endurance riding and training under her saddle had never entertained the thought of adopting a Standardbred horse.

West Grey Bay changed all of that.

It was a few years ago when Cuthbertson, who has trained several horses including Standardbreds as well as students, to compete in Endurance races, and Julie Walker, who played a major role in establishing the Racing Under Saddle (a Standardbred trotting race where the horse is ridden, not driven) program in Ontario, found out a particular retired trotter, one with RUS potential, might be available to foster through the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS)...

Read more here:
https://paulickreport.com/horse-care-category/from-trotter-to-trailblazer-the-life-of-westie/

Upcoming Endurance Clinics Around the Country

 

Here's a list of upcoming Endurance 101 clinics all over the country.

For all of you on here who say you want to ride endurance these clinics are a great way to start!

Upcoming Endurance Clinics

March 12-13, 2022 – near Oreana, ID: 2022 Bring Spring AERC Clinic. Learn trail marking, horse safety in public, negotiate trails and water, 7-10 mile loop of 2 track and cow trails. $30 for clinic and clinic DVD and trails to ride, presented by Karen Bumgarner. Full information on Clinic Flyer.

March 18-20, 2022 – Mammoth Cave, KY: 2022 Endurance 101 Clinic, brought to you by the Daniel Boone Distance Riders. Location: Mammoth Cave Horse Camp. Friday: Meet and Greet. Saturday: All day learning with lunch and dinner provided. Sunday: Bringing a horse? 4-8 mile training ride led by an experience rider. Pre-register by 3/16 -- email Tammi and tammimedina@gmail.com. DBDR members: $10, juniors $15, non-DBDR members $30. Click for Clinic Flyer.

April 2, 2022 – Inver Grove Heights, MN: 2022 Endurance 101 Clinic -- Learn the basics of endurance riding with clinicians Peggy Casillas, Taryn Lindbeck and Sheryl O'Brien. This is a non-mounted clinic -- lots of information will be shared, with time for questions. Contact Peggy: peggy@pasillas.net to sign up.

April 23, 2022 – Goshen, OH: 2022 OAATS-Sponsored Endurance Riding 101 Clinic with clinician Maureen Fears, DVM, Karri Bruskotter, DVM, and Mollie Krumlaw-Smith. For info contact Maureen at mfehrs@aol.com or Mollie at mkrumlaw@webcincy.com. Join these knowledgeable veterinarians and riders at The Holistic Horse Farm for this one-day clinic.

May 7-8, 2022 – Rogers, MN: 2022 Minnesota Distance Clinic/Mock Ride with clinicians Rebecca Horizon (rnhorihan@gmail.com) and Sheryl O'Brien (lamvets@gmail.com) at Crow Hassen Park Preserve in Rogers. A great way to be prepared for spring and summer AERC rides!

May 13-15, 2022 – Burdett, NY: 2022 Distance and Endurance Riding Bootcamp, a jam-packed long weekend full of riding and learning. You will spend a minimum of four hours in the saddle every day going through both technical and athletic bootcamp as well as knowledge seminars in order to prepare you for distance sports. This camp is a perfect intro to understanding the logistics, training, and ways to succeed in distance sport with your horse. All riders should be able to canter and control their horses while riding on open trails, in groups and color or in pairs. Teens and adults welcome. Pre-teens by invite or approval only.
Friday: Making camp, then a half-day of practical knowledge and lessons starting at noon. Saturday: full day of practical knowledge, trail rides and lessons. Sunday: introductory endurance ride (for clinic participants only) with award ceremony over late lunch/early supper. Held at Painted Bar Stables in Burdett. For info: Erika, erika@paintedbarstables.com or Jennifer, vandusen@paintedbarstables.com.

May 14, 2022 – Central City, IA: 2022 Iowa Distance Riding Clinic, one-day mounted clinic with Brooke Moeller (guianowriter@gmail.com) and Kristine Jubeck (kjubeck@gmail.com), held at the Matsell Bridge Natural Area.

 

Local Oregon equestrian to participate in endurance race in Patagonia

Wallowa.com - Full Article

By ANN BLOOM For the Wallowa County Chieftain
Feb 22, 2022

If enthusiasm had a scale from 1-10, then Brenda Johnson would be at about a 12. Johnson is preparing for a 10-day endurance horse race, called the Gaucho Derby, that takes place in Argentinian Patagonia, March 3-13. Riders ride for 311 miles, using seven different horses, relying on a map and a GPS tracker, and must finish in 10 days. There are no trails.

The race is a test of horse and rider endurance, navigation and survival skills.

She is in an elite group. There were over 400 applicants and only 35 were chosen to compete.

So why is she doing it? She laughs at the question. “Cuz I’m crazy!” she said...

Read more here:
https://www.wallowa.com/news/local/local-equestrian-to-participate-in-endurance-race-in-patagonia/article_e828cec8-9394-11ec-86e5-e361601e1887.html

Aristaborr+ is AHA Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian Middle Distance High Point Award Winner

February 18 2022

The AERC Middle Distance High Point is an AHA nomination-based annual award given to the Arabian and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian with the highest AERC points accumulated in the year through 50-99 mile Endurance rides.

Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian Middle Distance High Point Award Winner ARISTABORR+ is the winner of the Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian Middle Distance Highpoint award, earning a total of 317.83 points with owner and rider Kristen Howard.

A 2009 mare, ARISTABORR+ (Bold Finales Legacy X TWIST A BORR), comes from a long line of successful distance horses in Ontario, Canada on her dam's side. Standing only 14.2h, ARISTABORR+ is certified 43.84% Crabbet by the Eastern Crabbet Arabian Horse Society and is as tough as nails. She has 1,432 miles to her credit including Endurance, Limited Distance, Set Speed, and Ride & Tie. Throughout her career, she has completed several multi-day rides, won AHA Region 18 Half-Arabian Endurance Champion three times, won Best Condition and High Vet Score awards, received the AHA Legion of Honor in 2020, and won numerous year end awards in the Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association (OCTRA).

Heather states “ARISTABORR+ constantly challenges and teaches me. She has made me into a better horsewoman, and I am forever grateful. My 'little red engine' never lets me down and has accomplished all goals I have set for her and more. She is now mentoring my daughter and her young horse, an Arabian/Mustang cross, as they start their distance riding journey.”

Zandai Abu Fahd is AHA Middle Distance High Point Winner

February 18 2022

The AERC Middle Distance High Point is an AHA nomination-based annual award given to the Arabian and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian with the highest AERC points accumulated in the year through 50-99 mile Endurance rides.

Arabian Middle Distance High Point Winner A 2007 purebred gelding, ZANDAI ABU FAHD “Lugnut” (IMPERIAL AL KAMAR x ZANDAI RUBAYANA) finished the year with 613.75 points.

Lug is a front runner who enjoys being the first on the trail, leading to many first place finished. He has conquered the Old Dominion 100 trail twice and has earned the Old Dominion Triple Crown award two years in a row. Lug has accumulated over 1,000 AERC miles within the last five years along with many regional awards. During the AERC 2021 year, he received two Best Condition Awards, placed 1st in the Northeast Region for the Middle Weight Division and 7th overall in the region.

Standing only 14.2 on his best day, he is a mountain climbing machine. His breeding is for beauty and grace in the show ring, but his heart is for the trail. Amie says “Lug has bloomed into my partner and an awesome endurance horse. To this day, no one else has ever thrown a leg over him except me. He loves his job! We couldn’t have made this year so great without Garret, our crew chief and the rest of our team who Lug loves dearly!”

Ozark Kaolina SWA is AHA 100 Mile High Point Winner

February 16 2022

The Arabian Horse Association recognizes the AERC high point earning Arabian and Half-Arabians/Anglo-Arabian in the AERC National 100 Mile year-end standing that meet AHA membership and registration criteria.

100 Mile High Point Winner Congratulations to the 2021 Arabian AERC 100 Mile High Point winner OZARK KAOLENA SWA owned and ridden by Jeanette Mero!

A 2012 mare, OZARK KAOLENA SWA “Lena” (KAOLINO X FMR OZARK EKLIPSE), earned a total of 900 points for completing three 100 mile rides with owner and rider Jeanette Mero. Together they have over 2,000 career endurance miles, 36 completions out of 38 starts, six firsts, seven Best Condition Awards, 34 top ten placings, and 6/7 100 mile completions.

In 2019 Lena won the AERC 100 Mile National Champion Best Condition award while also placing 6th at the 2021 Tevis Cup, where Lena was awarded the 2021 Haggin Cup, or the Tevis Best Condition award.

Jeanette says “Lena and I have forged a partnership which has become the highlight of my endurance career to date. Though I have been lucky enough to own and compete with some highly talented horses - Lena is without a doubt a once in a lifetime horse, and I treasure her as such. She is very sensitive and can be reactive but due to our shared respect for each other we never have "drama" between us - it's all business out there on trail. I hope in the future to be competing on her offspring, and can only hope they are as talented, willing and special as she is.”

Bantam Z is AHA 2021 Distance Horse of the Year

February 17 2022

Congratulations to the 2021 Distance Horse of the Year, BANTAM Z, owned/ridden by Cynthia Mettes!

This seven year old gelding (MW MISTER Z x SERANATA+) competed in five different states with his owner/rider Cynthia. Cynthia and Bantam took home multiple top five and ten placings, while earning the NATRC National Championship title and winning the AHA Region 9 CTR Championship ride.

Cindy says, "I would like to thank Bantam for giving me an unexpected year full of fun and excitement. Finally I would like to thank my husband, Kim, for supporting me in every way with my extreme horse passion. Bantam’s future looks bright and I look forward to many more miles on the trail with him and seeing what lies around the next bend in the trail.”

US Equestrian Releases Updated U.S. FEI Endurance Calendar Policies and Procedures

USEF.org

by US Equestrian Communications Department | Feb 17, 2022, 5:00 PM EST

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has released an updated version of the U.S. FEI Endurance Calendar Policies and Procedures. This version was approved by the Board of Directors and is effective as of February 16, 2022.

The policies and procedures document outlines the process for application review, approval, and fees for endurance rides wishing to be submitted to the FEI along with late applications and modifications. The aim of these policies and procedures is to produce the most effective U.S. endurance calendar.

Click here to view the U.S. FEI Endurance Calendar Policies and Procedures.

Organizers should read the entire policies and procedures document linked above but below are key notes for organizers:

Standard Process:

- FEI competition applications are due June 1st of the year prior to the competition dates.
- There will be an open review period for the FEI Calendar in June of the year prior to the competition year.
- The FEI Calendar must go through the USEF approval process before being submitted to the FEI.
- The approved FEI Calendar will be provided to the FEI by October 1st of the year prior to the competition year.
- The final approved FEI Calendar will be posted on the FEI website prior to the beginning of the competition year.

Process for Late Applications:

- Late Applications are those submitted after June 1st of the year prior to the competition dates.
- Late applications will only be considered if the application is received at least 20 weeks prior to the competition dates for competitions holding a CEI3* and at least 16 weeks prior to the competition dates for competitions holding a CEI2* or below.
- Late applications must go through the USEF approval process before being submitted to the FEI.
- Late fees to apply.

Process for Additions, Modifications and Cancellations to Existing Competitions:

- Additions, Modifications and Cancellations include the addition of any divisions or days, the upgrade or downgrade of any divisions, any changes to the organizer, location, days or divisions, as well as the cancellation of any divisions or days.
- Existing Competitions are considered any competitions approved by the USEF and posted on the FEI Calendar on the FEI website.
- Additions, Modifications and Cancellations will only be considered if they are received at least 10 weeks prior to the competition dates for those affecting a CEI3* and at least 8 weeks prior to the competition dates for those affecting a CEI2* or below.
- Additions, Modifications and Cancellations to existing competitions must go through the USEF approval process before being submitted to the FEI.
- Late fees to apply.

Questions? Contact Susan Edwards, US Equestrian Director of Endurance, at sedwards@usef.org or 859-225-2059.

For more information see https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-releases-updated-us-fei-endurance

2022 February's Horses in the Morning Endurance Podcast

Horsesinthemorning.com - Listen

Endurance: Cold Weather Wear, Farzad Faryadi and Diane Connolly for Feb 8, 2022

Feb 8, 2022

South East endurance rider Farzad Faryadi did very well in 2021 and is looking forward to a successful 2022. Diane Connolly, Old Dominion ride manager, tells us about the June 2022 AERC National Championship ride and educational seminars they are holding. Listen in...

https://www.horsesinthemorning.com/endurance-cold-weather-wear-farzad-faryadi-and-diane-connolly-for-feb-8-2022/

US Equestrian Welcomes Susan Edwards as Director of Endurance, Art Priesz as Endurance Discipline Management Advisor, and Lisanne Dorion as Endurance Chef d’Equipe

USEF.org

by U.S. Equestrian Communications Department | Feb 3, 2022, 4:21 PM EST Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the hiring of Susan Edwards as Director of Endurance, as well as contractor, Art Priesz, as the first Endurance Discipline Management Advisor. Both Edwards and Priesz started in their roles in January, while Chef d’Equipe Lisanne Dorion will also continue in her role through the 2022 FEI Endurance World Championship, 2023 FEI Endurance World Championship for Juniors & Young Riders, and 2023 Pan American Endurance Championships.

Edwards is a lifelong equestrian, having competed and trained in the hunter/jumper disciplines since childhood. She is an avid equestrian with vast experience in multi-discipline competition environments around the U.S. Prior to joining US Equestrian, Edwards spent more than two decades in staffing and operations roles for major sporting, social, and professional events. In Edwards’ role as Director of Endurance, she will manage the high-performance program, as well as development pathways for the discipline, while supporting the implementation of new endurance competition products to encourage growth in the sport from the grass roots level through to the elite levels of the sport.

“As an employee of US Equestrian, I look forward to joining in leading the discipline of Endurance forward for the next generation of horses and athletes and encouraging the sport to become well-developed and suitable for all levels in the U.S. with a distinct path to grow from grassroots riders to international competitors,” said Edwards. “This will be accomplished through creating new programs, procedures, and events that will equitably develop the sport to reward the athletes, owners, trainers, and organizers.”

Art Priesz will serve as a consultant for the program, advising and assisting in the development of sustainable new pathways for success at both the national and international levels. Priesz has a diverse background having practiced law nationally and internationally in litigation and business advising, and notably has served on both the USET Foundation and USEF Board of Directors. He has also served as Chair of the Endurance High Performance Committee and acted as an advisor to various other committees regarding rules, officials, and selection, and was the former Chef d’Equipe for the team in the early 2000's. Priesz will support Edwards and US Equestrian in developing new pipelines for the program moving forward, a modernized and participant driven selection process. The department will also focus on membership and participation growth to build bridges within the broader community and expansion of competition opportunities from the grassroots levels through international competition. Priesz’s responsibilities will also include recommendations and planning regarding affiliate issues.

Lisanne Dorion, who served as the U.S. Endurance Team’s Chef d’Equipe at both international championships in 2021, has renewed her contract through 2023, and will lead the teams at the FEI Endurance World Championships in Verona, Italy, in October of this year, as well as at the FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders next year in Castelsagrat, France, in September of 2023 and the FEI Pan American Endurance Championships in Santiago, Chile, in October of 2023.

For more information on USA Endurance, please visit www.usef.org/endurance.

Registration Open for AERC's 50th Anniversary Convention

AERC.org

Registration is now open! Click here for 2022 AERC CONVENTION REGISTRATION! This flyer also includes seminar information and a registration form you can print out. Or just give the office a call to sign up: 866-271-2372.

Special 50th anniversary T-shirts will be available for purchase for convention attendees -- these are $15.50 each and can be picked up with your registration packet at convention. (Special thanks to Anne York!)

AERC's convention is the most fun you can have without your horse! Two days of informative and thought-provoking seminars, shopping galore, seeing old friends and meeting new ones, awards presentations, Hot Topics seminars, plus fun Friday night dance (wear your best 1970s costume!) and the awards banquet on Saturday night.

For more information and to sign up, see:
https://aerc.org/Convention

2022 Tevis Cup Entry Now Available Online!

TevisCup.org

You can now enter the 2022 Tevis Cup online. Get it on your calendar for the 66th Western States Trail Ride and plan your ride season accordingly!

Also check out the new website design at TevisCup.org.